Could Heart Attacks Be Triggered By Infections? (sciencedaily.com)
- Reference: 0179208232
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/09/13/1457208/could-heart-attacks-be-triggered-by-infections
- Source link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172651.htm
> [T]he research found that, in coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic plaques containing cholesterol may harbor a gelatinous, asymptomatic biofilm formed by bacteria over years or even decades. Dormant bacteria within the biofilm remain shielded from both the patient's immune system and antibiotics because they cannot penetrate the biofilm matrix.
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> A viral infection or another external trigger may activate the biofilm, leading to the proliferation of bacteria and an inflammatory response. The inflammation can cause a rupture in the fibrous cap of the plaque, resulting in [3]thrombus [blood clot] formation and ultimately myocardial infarction... "Bacterial involvement in coronary artery disease has long been suspected, but direct and convincing evidence has been lacking," explains professor Pekka Karhunen [who led the study with researchers from the UK and Finland]. "Our study demonstrated the presence of genetic material — DNA — from several oral bacteria inside atherosclerotic plaques." The findings were validated by developing an antibody targeted at the discovered bacteria, which unexpectedly revealed biofilm structures in arterial tissue. Bacteria released from the biofilm were observed in cases of myocardial infarction. The body's immune system had responded to these bacteria, triggering inflammation which ruptured the cholesterol-laden plaque.
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> The observations pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myocardial infarction. Furthermore, they advance the possibility of preventing coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction by vaccination.
"The research is part of an extensive EU-funded cardiovascular research project involving 11 countries..."
[1] https://www.tuni.fi/en/news/myocardial-infarction-may-be-infectious-disease
[2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172651.htm
[3] https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/thrombus
Healthy gums + teeth = healthy heart (Score:2)
The correlation between gum / tooth disease and heart disease has been known for many years, but this study provides a mechanism for causation.
For that matter, talk to your veterinarian, and you'll be told that dogs with congestive heart failure and heart murmurs almost always have bad teeth.
Intriguing... (Score:2)
> "Our study demonstrated the presence of genetic material — DNA — from several oral bacteria inside atherosclerotic plaques."
I wonder if poor oral hygiene - or even maybe over-zealous
oral hygiene - might be one means by which these bacteria enter the bloodstream.
I also wonder if the various emulsifiers, (lecithin, carrageenan, carob bean gum, and a bunch of others which are said to compromise the gut microbiome), might be playing a role.
Cholestrol correlation (Score:2)
This also supports the idea that cholesterol is just a correlation caused by inflammation and the body trying to fix the actual issue in the only way it knows how.
But that statement will cause pharmaceutical companies to lose billions, so a lot of money and effort is going to be funneled into convincing people (more importantly, decision makers) that it's absolutely not true.
Maybe in 20-30 years, we'll accept the truth.
highly likely (Score:3)
inflammation decreases the space available in a vein, exasperating partial blockages. This is also why anti-inflammation drugs like asprin help in more than just heart attacks, it helps with infections.
Re:highly likely (Score:4, Interesting)
It has also been know for some time that there is a correlation between oral health and cardiovascular disease, but a causative mechanism has been elusive. The presence of DNA from oral bacteria in this study may help shed some light on that as well.
Re: (Score:2)
There has been varying guidance on prophylactic prescription of an antibiotic around dental procedures. I have sometimes had, from at least age 19, a sound variously described as a bruit or a mid-systolic click. For several years, dentists had me take amoxicillin around dental procedures. Guidance apparently changed, recommending antibiotics only in cases with more specific signs.